They ordered their men to row rapidly, and to traverse every part of the river furrowed by illuminated boats. Their light skiff flew over the water like a swallow. It went, came, glided from one side of the stream to the opposite shore, never coming in contact with any other. Not one craft escaped the eager scrutiny of the two friends; but their search was in vain. "Her name is Omiti; you know nothing more?" asked Nagato. "Nothing; but I fancy that the family to which she belongs is hostile to me. When she told me of the existence of a conspiracy, she refused to give me the names of its authors." "Ah!" suddenly exclaimed Nagato, "just see that girl over there. Isn't she the very one you are looking for? I never saw such lovely eyes.". Fide-Yori turned quickly. "Bah!" said he, "you're mocking me; her lips are thick, and her nose is flat." "So they are," said Nagato. "Forgive me; she looked pretty from a distance." Their boat reached the point where the river widened, and where fire-works continued to shoot heavenward. Fide-Yori, in his turn, uttered a loud exclamation. Through a score of blazing rockets he thought he spied Omiti's face; and he was not mistaken. "There, there!" he cried; "follow that boat; hurry!" The rowers hastily tacked; but they had to make a _détour_; the great rafts from which the fire-works were sent off blocked the way. When they had passed them, no one knew which boat they were to follow. Fide-Yori had observed nothing but the maiden's face; he saw it no longer. He had noticed neither the number of lanterns nor the colors of the banners. Besides, just at this point there was such a bewildering array of boats of every shape and size, that it was impossible to move. Fide-Yori trembled with agitation and alarm. "She will escape me," said he. "Must I find her only to lose her, after waiting so long?" "Did you see which way the boat went?" asked Iwakura. "I thought it went up stream." "Well, let us row that way, then; they can't have gone far. One is fairly held captive here. We shall find her again." Fide-Yori took courage. "Row up the river," he cried to his men. The young Shogun leaned over the edge and gazed eagerly about. Several people recognized him. Numbers of princesses of the royal household, lords, and generals passed close by him. He saw his mother and General Harounaga again; but the face he sought had vanished. "Perhaps we were too hasty," said he. They retraced their course; then went up stream once more. "The festivities are almost over!" Fide-Yori cried, suddenly. "Let us go to the outskirts of the throng and wait for that boat; when it makes for home, it must pass us." "Which way shall we go?" said Nagato. "Towards the upper town; there are no houses of nobles in the direction of the sea." They waited in vain; the boat did not appear. It had gone down the river, and proceeded towards the suburbs. Fide-Yori went back to the palace discouraged. The Prince of Nagato tried to console him.